Search - John Coltrane :: Crescent (Shm)

Coltrane Forever

Carlos A Carvajal | Bogota, DE Colombia | 07/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album shows a magnificent Coltrane. I Think this CD must be in your music collection"

A very lyrical and beautiful Coltrane album

Roger Berlind | NY, USA | 02/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this album and Impressions recently when the only Coltrane albums I had were Blue Train, Giant Steps, Cannonball and Coltrane, and A Love Supreme (although I also owned some Miles Davis albums on which Coltrane was a sideman). Previously, I would not have characterized myself as a Coltrane fan. I liked other saxophonists such as Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins, and even Hank Mobley more than Coltrane. However, Crescent and Impressions showed me a more lyrical side of Coltrane's music that I find very beautiful and really enjoy listening to.



As others have mentioned, the album features 3 beautiful ballads (Crescent, Wise One, and Lonnie's Lament), a swinging blues (Bessie's Blues), and a showcase for Elvin Jones' drumming (The Drum Thing) which also features more lyrical blowing by Coltrane. While some reviewers have indicated that they feel that Bessie's Blues doesn't belong, I disagree; it provides a very appropriate change of pace in the middle of the album. All the tunes have sensitive solos by Coltrane (that demonstrate more restraint than he showed on A Love Supreme) along with great support and solos by McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Jones.



Overall, I consider this an even better album than A Love Supreme. Amongst all the Coltrane albums I have mentioned, I like this and Blue Train the most."

Sloped downward

IRate | 05/06/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"3 1/2



Crescent starts to peak early on, hinting at becoming one of Coltrane's most powerful ballad collections, but the second side feels underwritten in comparison, offering extended minimalist jamming instead of fully fleshed work."